What do you all recommend?

[RidgwayCO]

For a first gun, I'd recommend a M617 4". Cheap ammo for lots of practice, and a very handy size.

Then, if you've liked the M617, think about adding a M686 4" to your collection. My M686+ 4" only weighs an ounce more than my M617 4", but gives all that .357 Magnum/38 Special goodness (and recoil).

 

[redlevel]

Here is an off-the-wall suggestion that will get you into two hobbies at once; handgunning and reloading. If you really get into handgunning, you are going to almost certainly need to be a reloader, or be rich, or limit most of your shooting to .22 rimfire.


S&W Model 10 used---$250-$350
Lee Hand Press Kit---$40
Lee Carbide .38 Dies---$30
Lee Priming Tool---$25
Miscellaneous Shell Holders, etc--$30
Pound of Bullseye Powder $30
1000 small pistol primers $35
1000 lead bullets 148 grain wadcutters $65
Five boxes (250 rounds) standard pressure .38 sp. ammo $125


The five boxes of ammo are for you to familiarize yourself with the revolver, and to provide once-fired brass for reloading. You can load the brass at least a half-dozen times each if you are loading mild to moderate target loads. The S&W Model 10 is a classic handgun, the preferred Police sidearm for most of the last half of the 20th century. You can't go wrong with one. Reloading isn't rocket surgery nor brain science. The processes are not as demanding as what you may have done in a HS or College chemistry lab. Basic safety practices will protect you against double charges or "squib" loads. You are in more danger pumping gas in your car than you are handling the powder.

My list will provide you with a high quality, good shooting, classic S&W revolver and 1000 rounds of ammo for less than what some of the suggested revolvers would cost. There are a bunch of good books on reloading. There are a bunch of videos on youtube describing the process. Don't be intimidated.

A lot of people over the years have gotten into the handgunning/reloading hobbies with just this combination.

My other suggestion would be to buy a good used .22 rimfire revolver and several 500 round "bricks" or bulk packs of ammo. You really need to shoot a handgun a lot to get proficient.

 

[brionic]

Is there a place(internet) or book that would be good to help me to learn about all the different models? That would let me keep track of all the different suggestions and limit my confusion? I can already feel the addiction coming on....

The Standard Catalog referenced above is THE BOOK - very informative, lots of great color photos, and relatively current.

I suggest you visit a few gun stores and handle several different revolvers. Tell the salesperson that you are a new shooter and want to look at a variety of S&Ws in J, K, L, and N frame sizes. Maybe they will show you some of the models suggested here, but the main thing is, once you feel the differences of weight and trigger reach, you will have a better idea of what fits your hand and feels good to you.

Also, you will get a quick education on whether you want to do business with that particular shop - some are staffed by knowledgeable, friendly workers that want to help YOU find what you want, while others might be less interested in spending more than five minutes with a "newbie", or are interested in steering you toward what THEY want to sell...

Have fun and check back if you have questions!
--
Brian

 

[perrazi]

personally, i would get something with adj. sights. i started on a model 15 when i was 14. reloading will be must with centerfires. get some intelligent instruction and read everything that you can find about it. stay away from any off brands. i would stick with the following, s&w, colt, ruger, sig, german walthers. you can always branch out after you get some hands on experience and realize what you looking at. this forum is one of the best for advice as there are many experienced shooters, collectors, and reloaders here. good luck in your new hobby. it has kept me interested for over 45 years so far.

 

[Firearmsrookie]

What are your recommendations for a 22? What kind of prices are reasonable?

 

[BigGuns]

It doesn't matter where you start, it's where you end up. I thought I could limit myself by only buying 3" and 5" barrelled revolvers. Yeah, right. That didn't work. It got so bad I decided that my new motto would be(to my wife), "I didn't overpay, I just bought it a few years too soon."

As for a .22LR, I've owned a bunch, but still, the most accurate, and the one my kids learned how to shoot with, is a model 63, 4". It simply outshoots all the rest of my .22's for accuracy, K-22's, 17's, and is the shortest barrelled .22 revolver we own. When we compete (family competition) we all try to claim it.

It's hard to pick one certain .22. Buy a bunch and one will grow on you! Prices? You got me there. Been awhile since I sold or bought a new one.

 

[redlevel]

What are your recommendations for a 22? What kind of prices are reasonable?

You can't go wrong with any of the S&W .22 revolvers. There are cheaper double-action .22s, but none of the quality you get with a S&W. I probably shoot my Model 63 more than any other. It dates from the 1970s. My two K-22s date to the 1940s. I found a finish-challenged K-22 Masterpiece, the six inch barrel target model, for $350 during T-giving holidays last year. You can probably find a used Model 63, Model-17, or Model 18 starting around the $400 range and going up from there. I don't know what the new guns sell for. You really need to get a reference, such as the previously mentioned Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, so all these model designations and descriptions don't confuse you. I can't speak for the newer guns, but you absolutely can't go wrong with any of the older S&W 22 revolvers.

 

[frogger]

Thanks again for all your responses.
What do you all think of the prices below....I will get to see these later this week. Are there any here that look especially attractive, given the -# and all?
Smith and Wesson 357 Mag.
Model 65-3 Stainless Steel $389.99
Model 65-4 Stainless Steel $389.99
Model 686 Stainless Steel $409.99
Model 686-4 Stainless Steel $429.99
Model 686-2 Stainless Steel $429.99
Is there somewhere that I can learn what the -s mean?

If the 686-4 is anywhere between a 2.5" to a 4" barrel, that would be my choice. To me, that is the best version of the 686 that was made and that price is fair, assuming it is in pretty good condition.